Car fire brings traffic to a halt

The Highway 30 westbound lane was shut down for a brief time Wednesday due to a car fire.

No one was hurt in the fire, and traffic was restored quickly after the fire.

Thomas Andre, professor of curriculum and instruction, said he had picked up his 1998 black Toyota Camry from Wilson Cadillac Toyota Scion, 2212 S. Duff Ave., just minutes before. The car had been in the shop to have the bearings repaired.

Andre said he saw smoke and heard a pop while driving, so he pulled over and got out of the car. He said flames were coming from the bottom of the car when he stopped.

“The bearings were going, and I am sure it just got too hot,” Andre said.

As the tow truck loaded up the torched Camry, the damage was made visible. Not only had the tires been scorched, but the hood and the windshield were smoke-stained and melted. The car had to be dragged onto the platform, because the ignition was melted.

As the car was lifted from the ground, a pile of burnt rubble was left in its place.